With the update to Google app 6.11 and Play Services 10.2.98 a Home Control menu option has shown up on the Pixel (but not all at this stage meaning it is also a server-side implementation as well as the app update). Inside here, just like for Google Home setup, you can add smart devices to the app and then control WITHOUT the need for a Google Home.

Once setup the user can then just issue the usual voice commands to their Pixel as would be done for a Google Home to control their home automated products such as a Nest thermostat or Belkin WeMo. It cuts out the requirement of a Google Home as a central hub to control everything in the house.

It is a nice addition to Google Assistant but once again it is Google adding duplicate functions to multiple devices. Do you really need to buy a Google Home now if you have a Pixel? I feel that Google should be focusing on getting Google Assistant onto more and more devices (maybe they are trying but haven’t been very successful so far). With the LG G6 reportedly including Google Assistant that will be a good start.

Are you seeing these new options on your Pixel? Will you use them? Do you see a need to still buy a Google Home if your Pixel can do the same things?

Scott Plowman Associate Editor

Scott is our modding guru - he has his finger on the pulse of all things ‘moddable’, pointing us towards all the cutting edge mods hacks that are available. When he’s not gymming it up, or scanning the heck out of Nexus devices, you'll find him on the Ausdroid Podcast.

Outside of Ausdroid, Scott's a health care professional and lecturer at a well known Victorian university.